Two-step pressing machine



' 31, 1936. E. DAVIS TWO-STEP PRESSING MACHINE Original Filed April 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet arch-31, 1936. DAV|$ 2,035,795

TWO-STEP PRESSING MACHINE Original Filed April 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wang Emma. @42 74 A TTORNEYS Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TWO STEP PRE S SING MACHINE Application April 25, 1929, Serial No. 358,141 Renewed February 11, 1933 11 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing machines as garment and laundry platen or ironing presses having an opening and closing movement, and has for its object a press which is provided with a particularly simple motor means and control therefor for preliminarily closing the press and a pedal operated means for finally closing the press under heavy pressure.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describingthis invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of parts seen in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away,

looking to the left in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail fragmentary view of the clutch for controlling the preliminary closing of the press.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit of the electric motor.

Operator-operated garment and laundry presses, and particularly presses adapted to work on outer garments, have certain advantages over motor operated presses, both in quality of work and speed of production, but the former are disadvantageous because of the fatigue to the operator.

The advantages are that the operator can hold the work arranged on the buck or stationary jaw until the last second without danger while closing the press with the pedal or with one hand pulling the head or movable jaw closed, as the unconscious mental reaction of the operator is not to fully close the press while one or both hands are between the jaws or in a dangerous position and to intuitively withdraw the hands when the press closes to a dangerous proximity to the hands.

The chief cause of fatigue in operator-operated presses is the reaching effort by hand or foot to preliminarily close the press from wide open position to preliminarily closed position. Usually the operator reaches for a handle on the press I head with one hand, and then for the pedal with one foot.

Outer garment presses, commonly known as tailor presses are not generally power operated 55. because of the human element required in the operation, that is, the feeling or sensing of pressure applied to the garment. Some garments requiring very light pressure and other garments requiring heavy pressure for proper pressing. There is also the seaming and stretching or 5 shrinking of the garment into shape. Therefore, the ordinary laundry power press, which merely closes under heavy pressure, is not suitable. The manually operated press is fatiguing to the operator, especially the starting of the 10.

press head in motion. The press heads are usually-started in motion by pulling down on them. Reaching up for the handle and lifting the foot high to reach the pedal while standing on one foot are extremely fatiguing to the operator. 15 However, if the closing of the press head into light contact with the garment is accomplished by power means, the greater part of the fatigue to the operator is eliminated. Also, if the treadle is used only for applying pressure, the movement of the treadle may be made very short and the pedal located close to the floor. Also, the application and graduation of the pressure to the garment is still applied by and within the control of the operator. 25

The invention is directed to means for eliminating the disadvantageous features of the foot press and at the same time retaining the good features.

The pressing machine of my invention com- 30 prises, generally, cooperating pressing jaws or elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, motor means and motion transmitting means or connections operated thereby to preliminarily close the press, a pedal, connec- 35 tions operated thereby to finally close the press under heavy pressure and means, preferably a pedal, to control the motor means. In other words, the machine has a two step operation, first into a preliminarily closed position and 40 second into final pressure position. The first step is effected by operator controlled power means and the second step, by means as a pedal to which force is applied by the operator.

The invention is illustrated as embodied in a 45 conventional pressing machine having press jaws comprising a head I movable toward and from a buck 2. The buck 2 is carried on a suitable bracket or bolster 3 which is mounted on the machine frame 4. The head I is carried at the 50 front end of a yoke or press lever 5 pivoted between its ends at 6 to an upright l rising from the frame.

The motor for preliminarily closing the press is preferably a relatively small electric motor 8 -matically operated switch 2| suitaby mounted on the frame and. the armature shaft 9 thereof is connected to the head I through motion transmitting means including a normally open or disengaged clutch. The clutch includes a shiftable section which is shifted into engaged position by an operator-operated member or pedal. The pedal also preferably operates a switch which closes the circuit through the motor.

The fixed and shiftable sections I0 and II of the clutch are respectively loosely mounted on and slidably keyed to a shaft I2, that is, the shaft I2 is normally free to rotate in the section II] but is keyed to the shiftable section II. A worm gear I3 which meshes with a worm on the armature shaft 9 is carried by the shaft I2. The section I9 has a rock arm I5 which is pivoted at It to one end of a link H, the other end of which link is pivoted at I8 to the rear arm of the yoke lever 5.

The motor is preferably, normally idle and is connected in a suitable electric power circuit by a normally open switch I9 which is closed by the operation of an operator actuated means or a pedal 29. The pedal also shifts the clutch section II into engaged position. Preferably, a suitable automatically-operated normally closed switch 2| is also connected in the motor circuit.

The operator actuated switch I9 and the autocomprise control means-which is normally in inoperative or disconnected position as determined by one of the switches being open irrespective of whether or not the other switch is closed. Thus, upon opening of the automatically operated switch 2|, the control means is in inoperative or disconnected position irrespective of the position of the switch I9. In other words, the control means is in operative position when both switches are closed and is in inoperative position when one switch is open. The mechanism for connecting the motor means 8 with the source of power includes, therefore, the power connection or circuit having the control means, which connection controls the supplying of power to close the press, and the shunt or holding connection or circuit 48 which is connected in parallel with the automatically operated switch 2| and in the particular construction disclosed, controls the supply-of power to hold the press closed.

The pedal 29 is pivoted at 22 to the base of the machine frame and is connected to the clutch section II to shift it into engagement with its cooperating clutch section I9. Suitable connections are provided such as a push rod 23 pivoted to one arm of an angle lever 24, Figure 1, pivoted at 25 to the frame. A link 26 is pivoted to the other arm of the angle lever 24 and at 2'! to'one arm of a similar angle lever 28 pivoted at 29 to the frame. A link 39 is pivoted at one end at 3| to the other arm of the lever 28 and at its other end at 32 to an arm 33 on a shifting fork 34 pivoted at 35 to the frame. the fork working in a groove in the shiftable clutch section II. The depression of the pedal 20 is against the action of a suitable returning spring 36.

The normally open switch i9 may be of any suitable construction and is operated by the plunger 37 carried by the lever 29, the plunger being capable of yielding, for obvious reasons, against the action of a spring 38 during the depression of the pedal.

The normally closed switch 2| is automatically opened, when the head I is closed, by a cam or knock off arm 39 rotatable with the clutch section I9 and keyed thereto by a set screw 49. The

arm 39 coacts with the tail 4| of a switch 2 I. The switch is closed by a spring 42. The two switches I9 and 2| are switch means included in a circuit for applying a high voltage to the motor 8 and controls the operation thereof. Obviously, when one of the switches is open the circuit is open and high pressure electrical energy is cut off from the motor. When the automatic switch 2| is opened, the switch means has been actuated to discontinue the flow of electrical energy through the lL gh voltage circuit to the motor 8.

Obviously, depression of the pedal 2.9 will throw the clutch section I I into engagement with the section It) and also close the switch I9 in the motor circuit so that the current at high pressure or voltage is free to pass from feed wire 43 through the switch I9, wire 44 through switch 2|, wire 45 to and through the motor, wire 45 back through the switch I9 to feed wire M. Hence the motor 8 is energized and prelirmnarily closes the press through the shaft I2, engaged clutch sections I9, II, the arm I5, link I! and yoke lever 5. As the head closes, the cam or knock off arm 39 opens the switch 2| so that high pressure power or energy is no longer applied to the motor. However, in order to hold the press in preliminarily closed position as long as the operator holds the pedal depressed and without subjecting the motor to injury or burning out, a resistance 48 is connected in shunt around the switch 2| which applies low pressure power or voltage to the motor. The arrangement of leverage is such that only a small amount of motor torque is necessary to hold the head down. Thus, when the switch 2| opens, a sufiicient amount of current passes through the resistance 48 to the motor to hold the press closed, but the current is insufficient to over-heat or burn out the motor.

When the pedal 29 is released, the spring 35 returns the parts, which were operated by the pedal, to their normal position. One such part is the clutch member II which disengages from the clutch member If) thereby permitting the latter and the arm I5 to return to initial position when the press opens. The clutch section IE! and cam or knock off arm 39 are returned to their starting position by the opening of the press under the influence of the usual countersprings .49, 59. The spring 49 has one end connected to the rear arm of the yoke lever 5 and the other end to the frame and the spring 59 has one end connected with the frame and the other end is connected to the actuating mechanism for applying final pressure.

A pedal 5| applies final pressure to the head I after it has been preliminarily closed by the motor 8. The pedal is here shown as carried by the front end of one arm 52 of an angle lever pivoted at its angle at 53 to the frame, the other arm 54 of the angle extending upwardly and being pivoted at its upper end at 55 .to the lower end of a link 56, which link is pivoted at I8 to the rear arm of the yoke lever 5. The arm 5 and link 55 form a toggle. The spring 59'is connected at one end to the angle lever arm 52.

The motor serves to hold the press in preliminarily closed position as long as the .pedal 29 is held depressed. The press is held in its final closed position without the operator holding the pedal 5| depressed by a latch 51 which is pivoted at 58 to the angle lever arm 52 and coacts with the latch lock or keeper 59 on the frame. The latch has a forward extension 69 having a pedal 6| which latch and extension are so hung on the pivot 58 that depression of the operating pedal 5| engages the latch and depression of the pedal 6| trips or releases the latch.

In operation, the operator depresses the pedal 20, shifting the clutch section II into engaged position and closing the switch 19 in the motor circuit so that the motor is energized and the motion thereof transferred to the head to preliminarily close it or bring it down on the buck 2. The operator then steps on the pedal 5| for any degree of final pressure. If desired, the operator can omit the preliminary closing step by the motor and operate the press as any foot press by using only the pedal 5|.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in the configuration, composition and disposition of the component elements going to make up the invention as a whole as well as in the selective combination or application of the respective elements, and no limitation is intended by-the phraseology of the foregoing description or illustrations in the accompanying drawings.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, an electric circuit, a motor operatively connected to the movable element and connected in said circuit, a normally open switch in the motor circuit, an operating member operable to close the switch, a normally closed switch in the motor circuit, a resistance coil connected in shunt in the motor circuit around the normally closed switch, and means actuated by the motor to open the normally closed switch when the press closes.

2. In a pressing machine, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, an electric circuit, a motor operatively connected to the movable element and connected in said circuit, a normally open switch in the motor circuit, an operating member oper able to close the switch, a normally closed switch in the motor circuit, a resistance coil connected in shunt in the motor circuit around the normally closed switch, means actuated by the motor to open the normally closed switch when the press closes, and releasable means for locking the press closed.

3. A garment or ironing press comprising cooperating pressing jaws which open and close on the work; operating mechanism to open and close the press including motor means to close the press, motion transmitting means connecting the motor means with the movable jaw, a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon release of the clutch; mechanism connecting the motor means with a source of high pressure power including control means normally in inoperative position; operator actuated means for operating the control means to energize the motor means and for engaging the clutch, automatic means operable when the press reaches closed position for controlling the control means so that high pressure power to the motor means is discontinued through the control means; and means for holding the press in closed position.

4. A garment or ironing press comprising, cooperating pressing-jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the pressincluding,motormeans to close the press, motion transmitting means connecting the motor means with the movable jaw, a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon release of the clutch; mechanism connecting the motor means with a source of power including, control means normally in inoperative position; operator actuated means for operating the control means to energize the motor means and engage the clutch, automatic means operative when the press reaches closed position for controlling the control means so that the high pressure power to the motor to close the press is discontinued, and a connection to the motor means to supply sufficient power to the motor means to hold the press in closed position upon actuation of the automatic means when the press reaches closed position.

5. A garment or ironing press comprising, cooperating pressing jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the press including, an electric motor, m'otion transmitting means connecting the motor with the movable jaw, a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon release of the clutch; a power circuit connected with the motor and adapted to be connected with a source of power including switch means to connect the motor with and to disconnect the same from the high voltage power to close the press; operator actuated means for operating the switch means to energize the motor and engage the clutch, automatic means controlling the switch means when the press reaches closed position to discontinue the application of high voltage electrical energy to the motor through the power circuit to close the press; a holding circuit connected with the motor to feed limited power thereto to hold the press in closed position.

6. A garment or ironing press comprising, cooperating pressing jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the press including, motor means, motion transmitting means connecting the motor means with the movable jaw,

a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon release of the clutch; a first connection connecting the motor means with a source of power including, control means normally in open position; operator actuated means for operating the control means to energize the motor means and engage the clutch; a second connection connected with the motor means to feed limited energy thereto to hold the press in closed position, and automatic means controlling the connections when the press reaches closed position to discontinue electric energy through the first connection and controlling the flow of energy through the second connection.

7. A garment or ironing press comprising, cooperating pressing jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the press including, an electric motor, motion transmitting means connecting the motor with the movable jaw, a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon release of .the clutch; a first circuit connecting the motor with a source of power including, switch means normally in open position; operator actuated means for operating the switch means to energize the motor and engage the clutch; a second circuit connected with the motor to feed limited energy thereto to hold the press in closed position; and automatic means controlling the switch means when the press reaches closed position to discontinue electric energy through the first circuit and controlling the flow of energy through the second circuit.

8. A garment or ironing press comprising, cooperating pressing jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the press including, a rotary electric motor, motion transmitting means connecting the motor with the movable; jaw, and means to open the press upon energy being out 01f from the motor; mechanism connecting the motor with a source of power including, switch means normally in open position; operator actuated means for operating the switch means to energize the motor; automatic means controlling the switch means when the press reaches closed position to discontinue the power supply to the motor; and a circuit connected with the motor to feed limited power thereto to hold the press in closed position.

9; A garment'or ironing press comprising, cooperating pressing jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the press including, a rotary electric motor, motion transmitting means connecting the motor with the movable jaw, a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon energy being cut oil from the motor; mechanism connecting the motor with a source of power including, a first circuit having switch means normally in open position; operator actuated means for operating the switch means to energize the motor; a second circuit connected with the motor toieed limited power thereto to hold the press in closed position; and automatic means controlling the switch means when the press reaches closed position to discontinue electric energy through the first circuit and control the passage of energy through the second circuit.

10. A garment or ironing press comprising cooperating pressing jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the press including motor means to close the press, motion transmitting means connecting the motor means with the movable jaw, a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon release of the clutch; a high pressure power connection with the motor means for supplying power to close the press and adapted to be connected With a source of power including control means to connect the motor means with and disconnect the same from the source of power; operator actuated means for operating the control means to energize the motor means and for engaging the clutch; automatic means operative when the press reaches closed position for controlling the control means so that the high pressure power for closing the press is discontinued to the motor means through the power connection; and means to hold the press in closed position upon actuation of the automatic means when the press reaches closed position.

11. A garment or ironing press comprising cooperating pressing jaws one of which is movable toward and from the other; operating mechanism to open and close the press including motor means to close the press, motion transmitting means connecting the motor means with the movable jaw, a normally open clutch included in the motion transmitting means, and means to open the press upon release of the clutch; a high pressure power connection with the motor means for supplying power to close the press and adapted to be connected with a source of power including control means to connect the motor means with and disconnect the same from a source of power; operator actuated means for operating the control means to connect the motor means with a source of power and for engaging the clutch; automatic means operative when the press reaches closed position for controlling the control means so that the high pressure power to the motor means for closing the press is discontinued through the power connection; and a holding connection to the motor means to supply sufiicient power to the motor means to hold the press in closed position upon actuation of the automatic means when the press reaches closed position.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

